Author: africathisday

Dr. Charles Awuzie is best described as a dynamic bible expositor and CEO of Gemsbok Group Pty. Ltd. He is followed by several thousands of people on social media for his inspiring micro blogs on issues of Spirituality and faith, relationships and marriages, life and death. This is his recent post on facebook, blasting the recent viral #Blesser Hashtag:

“Currently Trending in South Africa is the Hashtag #Blesser

Where does the term “blesser” come from?

The term “blesser” comes from social media. Girls would post pictures on Instagram, facebook and twitter of themselves sipping cocktails on the beach, popping bottles in the club, driving in top of the range automobiles, flying business class or getting their nails done, using the hashtag #blessed. Some people started asking: Who’s really ‘blessing’ them? And just like that, a cultural phenomenon was popularised – a phenomenon where younger girls hunt for older and rich guys who would ‘bless’ them. Then a meet up platform was launched online to help a potential #Blesser meet a desperate #Blessee.

But What’s ‘My Own Sef’? (in my Nigerian ascent)…

Why shouldn’t this Kwerekwere facebooker mind his own business? Or should we remind him that his Nigerian brothers are the biggest blessers in Mzazi? Doesn’t he know that even ‘pastor’ Kenny Kunene – the now repentant sushi King respected Nigerians in this ‘blessing’ game?

Well, sisi, I share your concerns. After the “blesser” hashtag went LIVE and viral, my first response was to imitate the tea-sipping Kermit and convince my conscience that it is ‘none of my business’.

But my conscience won’t let me…

How can I mind my own business when approximately one-fifth of South African women in their reproductive ages are HIV positive? (Source: statssa.gov.za/publications/P0302/P03022014.pdf)

How can I mind my own business when almost 3 out of every 7 girls who came to me for prayers wanted me to pray so God can give them a rich man (a blesser) who will be a ‘blessing’ to their lives?

How can I mind my own business when almost 90% of our daughters/sisters are in one way or the other hunting for a #blesser? (Source: Experience as a youth pastor).

How do you expect me to mind my own business when foolish men have ascended the throne of a #blesser, demonstrating a total rebellion against God who alone is the #TrueBlesser?

And you want me to mind my own business….?

I refuse to mind my own business…I make bold to say that if you are a young lady and you are dating older married men so they can ‘bless’ you, you are a disgrace to yourself. Your heart is desperately wicked and your end is shame if you don’t turn away from your evil ways. That man is someone’s husband, dad and boss. What you are taking away from him through your seduction belongs to those he belongs to. You are a thief and like every other robber, you will be caught and brought to shame someday. It is not late to go back to school or acquire a skill. If man is your blesser, you are cursed…But when God is your blesser, sisi, you are #TrulyBlessed.

And finally to you foolish blessers….You either repent or perish with your filthy money. How dare you take the place of God? Are you not afraid of HE who can destroy both your flesh and your soul? Who made you a #blesser? Listen, Grace is your only life line to repent today. If you continue in your haughtiness, Jehovah – the #TrueBLESSER shall soon withdraw His blessings from you and your life shall be empty again.

My name is Charles Awuzie and my cry is that #SouthAfrica shall be #TrulyBlessed.

The President’s decision to reallocate funds once earmarked for the fuel subsidy and commit these to other more socially productive services and undertakings was a difficult decision. It was also a necessary one. Politically, it would have been easy for the president to sit back and let the subsidy remain in place, yet in the art of governance, the easiest policy is rarely the best one. As originally envisioned, subsidy formed a basic part of the social contract between the people and government. It was a benefit all were to enjoy. Yet, because past governments were not for and of the people, the true meaning and objective of the subsidy policy became lost.

Over the years, the operation of the measure was distorted to where it no longer functioned for the benefit of the masses but for the undue enrichment of a small club of businessmen, some legitimate in their work, some not. Instead of remaining a positive aspect of the social contract, subsidy was transformed into an opaque haven of intrigue and malfeasance. It was turned into a shadowy process from which the unscrupulous extracted large sums of money without providing the services and products duly paid for. Fake businessmen became true billionaires over night as if by supernatural force. They paraded themselves as such. Meanwhile, the rest of the nation, the innocent people, where left to face erratic supply and were made to groan in the misery of long fuel queues and the high costs and loss of time attendant to this situation.

To allow this unfairness to continue would have been a breach of the promise made by this government to the people. While we all have an emotional and sympathetic attachment to the ideals upon which subsidy was founded, we all must recognise that the institution was hijacked years ago. Instead of a bonus to the masses, it became a factory of corrupt enrichment, so imbued with trickery deceit and theft, it stopped serving the interests of the people. It became a weapon of profiteering. The machinery of the subsidy had become so polluted that it was no longer feasible to talk about reforming it. Either it had to cease or we would have to surrender to the corruption now inherent in it.

This administration entered office with a mandate of CHANGE. The government could not forever sit back and allow this dire inequity to continue, less it forfeit the essence of its mandate. We all want fuel at a cheaper price. Under subsidy, we got the right price but not the fuel. Meanwhile, some were getting rich on the common man’s predicament. They were laughing to the bank while the rest of Nigeria waited on the petrol line. This is not the way to democratic development. It is a recipe for creating a class of economic predators that would feed off the people and in time gain such power and wealth that they would seek to buy and control, if not own, government as well.

President Buhari has with this decision put an abrupt and just end to the assault against our economy and political system. He has made a courageous and prudent decision. It is time to end fuel subsidy and begin to subsidise the true needs of the people. To Mr. President, I say congratulations for having the courage to remove subsidy. The president has taken this tough decision in the interest of the present and future generations of Nigerians. For some time, I have been a proponent of this action. I believed the ending of subsidy was the only sure way to put to sleep the myriad demons that had invaded the subsidy process, sucking the blood of Nigeria, swallowing much of our needed money. The rentiers will no longer be able to make free money at our common expense. They will no longer be laughing to the bank while you languish on endless fuel queues.

Nigeria has taken the historic step needed to create a competitive environment that that will eliminate smuggling, provide incentives for private refineries and attract foreign investments in the downstream sector and create employment. Instead of just shipping off oil and having the more expensive finished products sent back to us, Nigeria will move closer to realising its potential to become the plastic centre of the continent by manufacturing numerous by products. Nothing can stop Nigeria from being the net exporter of fertiliser from the bye products of the oil industry. I am hopeful but also realistic about this measure. I am also mindful of the situation of our people. This change will mean higher fuel costs in generally, and I would be lying if I said this will cause no pain or dislocation. However, it will lead to better supply and end the hidden substantial costs associated with long waits and delays for fuel. The days and hours of waiting for fuel will be a thing of the past. In a perfect setting, I wish we could have sanitised the subsidy regime and thus continued with it.

However, I believe that President Buhari correctly understood that there are to many malefactors and flaws in system for that hell to be turned into heaven. Better that we remove it. But I believe he is removing it not for the austere purpose of saving money but for the nobler purpose of putting those same funds to fairer, more equitable use in order that government might better serve those of us who are truly in utmost need. Now that the subsidy is being phased-out, we should simultaneously phase in social programmes benefiting the poorest and most vulnerable among us. Programmes such as transportation grants, school feeding, improved basic medical care and coverage for the poor, and potable water projects are profound social objectives that can be funded with the money that was once going to rentiers and speculators. This way we can use government funds to ensure that fruits go to the hungry, not the already well fed. Thus, I ask everyone to take a step back to coolly and objectively assess what has been decided. We must not make the mistake of allowing our political and sympathetic attachment to subsidy blind us to the hard fact that the purpose and benefits of subsidy had long ago been taken from the common man to reside in the purse of an elite few.

We cannot persist in this imbalance and think it will help us to develop. Instead, it is better to end subsidy and use the funds to establish well-targeted anti-poverty programmes that actually assist the people in need. True, this measure will increase fuel cost in the immediate term, and government must be vigilant to ensure that market forces are allowed to work properly and bring about a fair balance between supply, demand and longer-term favourable pricing. Collusion and manipulation of the market must never be allowed.

If government sets the system fairly, it will ensure better supply and with it economic certainty. Over the longer term, it will boost investment that can spur employment across several sectors. Perhaps more importantly, it will liberate money that government can now use to lower the social costs of living for our brothers and sisters who really need the help. While this may not be perfect, it is a much better deal than the one the subsidy offered us.

“The use of force to deprive peoples of their national identity constitutes a violation of their inalienable rights and of the principle of non-intervention…By virtue of the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples enshrined in the charter of the United Nations, all peoples have the right to freely determine, without external interference, their political status and to pursue their economic, social and cultural development, and every state has the duty to respect this right in accordance with the provisions of the United Nations Charter.” ~Ref: Hurst Hannum; Autonomy, Sovereignty and Self-Determination: The Accommodation of Conflicting Rights, Page 38.

I have endured the urge to write about the on-going agitation for the release of Mr. Nnamdi Kanu and the subsequent declaration of the Sovereignty of Biafra for two reasons:

1) Because of my principle of not publicly speaking about any subject I have no clear understanding of.

2) Because of my doubts about the honesty of the motives of the incarcerated leader of the #IPOB – Mr. Nnamdi Kanu.

Its okay if you have a problem with my second reason, I also do. The proliferation of Secessionist Movements in recent times has made some of us to question the motives, aims and desires of the leaders of such groups before we lend our tiny voice(s) to their cause.

For the record, I believe in the principle of self-determination, whether it is Chief Femi Fani-Kayode’s call for the secession of the Yoruba people from Nigeria or Mr. Nnamdi Kanu’s struggle for Biafra’s secession from Nigeria; I believe in both ideologies but I always have problem trusting in the pioneers of such movements, perhaps because of my secret romance with conspiracy theories.

Back to the purpose of this macro-blog, I am afraid that Nnamdi Kanu might not make it out of ‘prison’ alive, not because Buhari will kill him but because the security agents might snuff the life out of him in the course of interrogating him. But before that happens, here is my two-edged-sword:

First to Biafrans: Protests, no matter how peaceful have never solved any socio-political problem instead it has created more confusion and chaos. You have a just cause. The actualisation of Biafra is a dream every Biafran hates to be awoken from. That you and I love Biafra doesn’t mean that we hate Nigeria. It just means that we would rather choose to relate with Nigeria as a mother and no longer as a sister. If Nigeria understands this, she would let Biafra go in peace having understood that at one stage in life, a mother will have to release her child to take care of himself.

Like everyone else, I believe in self-determination but I do not believe that IPOB and MASSOB are doing it the right way.

Biafrans should immediately withdraw from the streets and mobilise a team of high powered international lawyers who would engage the United Nations in the processes and procedures of self-determination. This would culminate in the summoning of the Nigerian Government to a world court and subsequently, the Nigerian Government would be given an ultimatum by the international community to either hold a referendum on the Biafra-Secession saga or risk sanctions. I strongly believe that if the international community forces Nigeria into holding a referendum on Biafra-Nigeria marriage, Biafra would surely win. This way, we would have secured victory without further bloodsheds and unnecessarily frustrating economic activities in South Eastern Nigeria.

To the Nigerian Government: I believe that you have the right to protect the unity and sovereignty of Nigeria. I also understand that you do not wish to kill Nnamdi Kanu in detention. But please understand that it is dangerous to fight an ideology whose time has come. The war against Boko Haram has not been won because it is a fight against an ideology. Biafra is an ideology and not an enemy. Only fools fight ideologies with bullets. I will advise that the Nigerian Government call for a referendum on the secession of Biafra. I bet you that there are millions of Biafrans who would vote against Biafra, not because they don’t believe in Biafra but because they don’t trust the after-effects of the declaration of the sovereignty of Biafra. They are afraid that if the igbos are still divided over grey-haired issues like the OSU-Nwadiala myth, the ODIBO/ORU-OGA mentality, The inter-State dichotomy where Abia would freely deport Anambra civil servants while Anambra would not promote an Enugu civil servant beyond a certain grade level because of their state of origin and all the crinkum crankum familiar with the politics of the Igbo people. With fears like these and perhaps a few state-sponsored propaganda, Nigeria might win the referendum.

This video has gone viral. Cursed by his Ex-GF, Now He Ejaculates Magots. Africa Thisday is still in the process of establishing contacts with the parties involved. Keep checking back on this website for more on this and many more news. Watch:

Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria’s president, pauses during a session on the opening day of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2014. World leaders, influential executives, bankers and policy makers attend the 44th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, the five day event runs from Jan. 22-25. Photographer: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Celebrating a Hero.
The Mandela Of West Africa (MOWA)
The New Face Of Democracy in ‪#‎Africa‬.
The man who saved Nigeria from a post-election bloodbath
The man who said that his ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian.

Happy Birthday President Goodluck Jonathan.

Millions of Nigerians have registered their love for you on social network to celebrate your birth.

His Excellency President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has proclaimed Sunday, 18th October 2015 as the day of Repentance, Prayer and Fasting throughout the country.
The Head of State stated that this declaration follows the overwhelming requests that ordinary citizens and the clergy from all denominations have made for this special day to be set apart for Repentance, Prayer and Fasting country wide.

In his proclamation, the President stated that the requests were justified as the countrys founding fathers and mothers found it fit to commit the nations destiny to Gods providence as evidenced by their placing of the national flag at the high altar of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross on the 25th of October, 1964.

The President stated that the decision was inevitable in view of the many challenges that the country was faced with among them: socio-economic; disrespect for elders and a near absence of civility in discourse; high unemployment levels among the youth and high poverty levels, Kwacha depreciation including load shedding due to the power deficit.

The Head of State appealed to all the people of Zambia to assemble at their respective place of worship and spend time in prayer and fasting to seek the face of God to avert the dangers that confront the nation.

In compliance with their requests, the example of our founding fathers and my own sense of duty, I designate Sunday, the 18th of October, 2015, for this purpose, and appeal to all the people of Zambia to assemble on that day, according to their several forms of worship, to keep it solemn Fast in response to the social and economic crisis.

Issued by

AMOS CHANDA
SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT
(PRESS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS)
STATE HOUSE

President Edgar Chagwa Lungu is the President of Zambia.

This is the Africa we hope to live in. The Africa that pray together will stay together. Share this to encourage more African countries to pray.

Yesterday my friends Lois Iorvihi, her younger Sister Joi and brother Jerry were at the receiving end of Police brutality at the instance of an Executive convoy.

The trio were on their way from Makurdi to Abuja. The journey from Makurdi to Lafia until they got to Nasarawa Eggon less than 100km from Abuja.

If you are familiar with the road, just immediately after the bypass on that sharp bend where many souls have perished, a dispatch rider overtook her car and was crisscrossing in front of her instructing her to clear off the road.

Before she knew what was going on she heard a loud siren from behind. As she was trying to veer off the road, a Hilux van loaded with riot Policemen armed to the teeth pushed her car off the road. In her agitated state she managed to bring the car to a halt in front of the valley.

Immediately she brought the car to a stopped four riot Mobile Police men descended on the car using the nozzle of their rifles to perforate and scratch the body of her car.

While this was going on, her brother seated on the passenger seat wind down and pleaded with the Police men thus:

“PLEASE SIR, TAKE IT EASY. CAN’T YOU SEE THAT SHE IS A WOMAN AND ALREADY AGITATED.”

Immediately they dragged him out of the car, used the butt of their rifles on his jaw and beat him up to a pulp.

While this was going on her younger sister Joi brought out her phone and took some pictures. They saw her and seized her phones and Ipad, and smashed all their devices.

Meanwhile Lois has gone hysterical and was screaming on the middle of the road shouting, “Is this fair,” repeatedly.

At a stage traffic began to build up on both sides of the road. Someone whispered to her, “Madam their Oga dey inside that Jeep, go and beg him.”

She then walked towards the heavily tinted SUV bearing the Nigerian Coat of Arm and insignia of a Governor. When she got to a few yards before the car, the heavily tinted widow was brought down. Lo and behold, seated at the owner’s corner was Governor Tanko Al Makura of Nasarawa state.

The first thing the Governor said was, “Young girl, you are so rude. Look at how you’re dressed like a prostitute.”

(She was wearing a short gown that covered up to her knee).

In her agitated state, she fired back at His Excellency, Governor Tanko Al Makura and said:

“How am I rude. Is this fair? Is this why we voted for you? We did not vote for you so that your convoy will run us out of the road. Look at what your security are doing? They are destroying my car, beating my brother to a pulp and smashing all our mobile devices just because we had the misfortune of driving in front of your convoy?”

Governor Al Makura fired back at her thus:

“You can take the case to wherever you wish or go to hell.”

He wind up and his ADC who was standing by the car window pushed her away and entered the car.

She saw his name on the tag on his chest. She called out his name, RINGIM!

And he fired back at her saying, “YES, THAT IS MY NAME. I AM THE GOVERNOR’S ADC. YOU CAN GO TO ANY LENGTH YOU WISH, WE ARE EQUAL TO THE TASK. WE WILL HANDLE YOU. RAT!”

And they zoomed off leaving the Hilux van loaded with riot Policemen.

They arrested Lois, Joi and her brother Jerry and took them back to the Divisional Police Headquarters in Lafia at about 5pm yesterday.

On getting to the station in Lafia, she was slammed with two count charges:

1) OBSTRUCTING THE CONVOY OF GOVERNOR TANKO AL MAKURA.

2) BEING RUDE TO GOVERNOR TANKO AL MAKURA.

The were detained until this afternoon and released after forcing her to write a letter of apology addressed to His Excellency, Governor Tanko Al Makura of Nasarawa state for obstructing his convoy and being rude to him.

As we speak Jerry is in pains and presently receiving treatment from Police brutality.

His offense: Asking the Policemen to take it easy with his sister who was driving in front of Governor Al Makura’s convoy.

Joi is depressed! Her phones, Ipad were smashed on the road and a Police man attached to the convoy of Al Makura used his jungle boots and jumped repeatedly on the devices so that they are destroyed beyond repairs.

Take a look at the attached photo of Lois’s car. That’s her Peugeot 407 without a single dent before the encounter with Governor Tanko Al Makura’s convoy.

My people, is this fair? Much as we cannot do anything and Tanko Al Makura and his Rottweilers playing God has all the powers and teeth to deal with hapless citizens who obstructs his convoy on a Federal Highway, we must ask the question again and again, IS THIS FAIR?

Today it is the turn of Lois, Joi and Jerry. Tomorrow it may be your turn. Remember injustice to one, is injustice to all.

Let the words go out, share it widely, the convoy of Governor Tanko Al Makura and the Policemen attached to him are a beast oppressing motorists on the road.

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